The Rookie Farmer Podcast cover art

The Rookie Farmer Podcast

The Rookie Farmer Podcast

Written by: Alec Smith
Listen for free

About this listen

 The Rookie Farmer Podcast is the go-to resource for aspiring market gardeners and small-scale farmers. Hosted by Alec Smith, farmer at Crop Culture Farm in New Bern, Georgia, this podcast provides wisdom, knowledge and real-world experience to support the rising movement of small-scale agriculture. Each episode features discussions with veteran growers, industry experts, and fellow "rookie" farmers who share lessons learned in starting up and running profitable, sustainable farms. Alec dives into topics like effective crop planning, selling to chefs and restaurants, creative CSA models, and much more. He also provides regular updates on his own half-acre vegetable farm as it grows. Whether you are a new grower just starting out or a few seasons into your farming journey, The Rookie Farmer Podcast will inform and inspire you to take your small farm to the next level. Tune in and join a passionate community of small-scale farmers who are revolutionizing the food system, one farm at a time.2025 Economics Leadership Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • Running a Profitable Market Farm in an Irish Village of 700 (TRFP 35)

    Running a Profitable Market Farm in an Irish Village of 700 (TRFP 35)
    Feb 13 2026

    In this episode, host Alec talks to farmer Peter Lee about how he built a thriving market garden in rural Ireland serving just 700 people, proving you don't need a massive market to succeed. Peter shares challenges of Irish growing conditions—from polytunnel potatoes harvested in May to slow-growing winter greens—and how he leveraged farm mentorship to scale from backyard hobby to profitable venture.

    Click here to learn more about farmer Peter and Bird and Blossom Farm.

    Click here to check out farmer Alec and Crop Culture Farm.

    Click here to shop on Modern Grower with Alec's affiliate link.

    Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!

    Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower.

    Follow Modern Grower:
    Instagram
    Instagram

    Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:
    Carrot Cashflow
    Farm Small Farm Smart
    Farm Small Farm Smart Daily
    The Growing Microgreens Podcast
    The Urban Farmer Podcast
    The Rookie Farmer Podcast
    In Search of Soil Podcast

    Check out Diego's books:
    Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon
    Ready Farmer One on Amazon

    **** Modern Grower and Diego Footer participate in the Amazon Services LLC. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 38 mins
  • From City Farm to Homestead Paradise: A Solo Farmer's Success Story (TRFP 34)

    From City Farm to Homestead Paradise: A Solo Farmer's Success Story (TRFP 34)
    Jan 30 2026

    In this episode of The Rookie Farmer Podcast, host Alec Smith welcomes farmer Jill Duncan of Loving Roots Urban Farm as she shares her journey from renting farm land in the city to owning a thriving 1/3-acre market garden: growing on two farms at the same time, keeping her customer base, and the growing pains of moving to a new location. She also talks about how she grows lettuce year-round, builds deep customer relationships that drive business growth, and manages a profitable solo operation growing high-value crops.

    Click here to learn more about farmer Jill and Loving Roots Urban Farm.

    Click here to check out farmer Alec and Crop Culture Farm.

    Click here to shop on Modern Grower with Alec's affiliate link.

    Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!

    Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower.

    Follow Modern Grower:
    Instagram
    Instagram

    Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:
    Carrot Cashflow
    Farm Small Farm Smart
    Farm Small Farm Smart Daily
    The Growing Microgreens Podcast
    The Urban Farmer Podcast
    The Rookie Farmer Podcast
    In Search of Soil Podcast

    Check out Diego's books:
    Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon
    Ready Farmer One on Amazon

    **** Modern Grower and Diego Footer participate in the Amazon Services LLC. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 29 mins
  • The (MANY) Truths About Growing and Selling Food in Winter (TRFP 33)

    The (MANY) Truths About Growing and Selling Food in Winter (TRFP 33)
    Jan 16 2026
    While "winter growing" might conjure up images of heated high tunnels, covered beds, and doing wash pack in freezing water, you might just be surprised that that's not all there is to it! In this farm blog episode, host Alec of Crop Culture Farm is joined by farmer Richard from Sun and Soil Farm to talk about the growing-related and non-growing -related realities of winter farming: from timing your plantings, deciding when (or if!) to cover crops, to navigating unpredictable winter markets. They share their own strategies for succession planting in cold weather, the impact of having high tunnels on accelerating crop growth even in short days, and some tips and tricks to using the Jang direct seeder. Click here to learn more about farmer Richard and Sun and Soil Farm. Click here to check out farmer Alec and Crop Culture Farm. Click here to shop on Modern Grower with Alec's affiliate link. Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights! Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower. Follow Modern Grower: Instagram Instagram Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network: Carrot Cashflow Farm Small Farm Smart Farm Small Farm Smart Daily The Growing Microgreens Podcast The Urban Farmer Podcast The Rookie Farmer Podcast In Search of Soil Podcast Check out Diego's books: Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon Ready Farmer One on Amazon **** Modern Grower and Diego Footer participate in the Amazon Services LLC. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 13 mins
No reviews yet